You can dodge the deathsquitoes. I frequently run around plains with sword and shield on back. When you see it get close to you to do its ramming attack just dodge roll. It will miss because of your i-frames and then It will then start circling again. Should give you time to grab ur stuff.

Or you could just make a crude bow and shoot the squitoes on the way to your body with an arrow.

If you died super deep into the plains before you were ready to be there then you might be better off just retrieving the stuff later when you have better gear. You lost the gear and learned a lesson about the plains. Make some new stuff and move on. Its a big world, plenty of resources.